Campgrounds near Douglas, Alaska provide access to Southeast Alaska's temperate rainforest ecosystem with 60-70 inches of annual rainfall. The camping season typically runs May through September, with limited options available during winter months. Most campgrounds in the region are situated at low elevations with dense forest coverage.
What to do
Glacier viewing and hiking: Mendenhall Lake Campground offers multiple trail options with varying difficulty levels. "Explore the lake via kayak, hike the short park trails, explore the far side of the lake - this is a great spot just minutes from the Juneau Airport," notes camper Josiah P.
Wildlife observation: Auk Village Campground provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities from shore. "If you have a fishing license you can fish off the beach... Not unusual to find deer walking through the campsite. A couple of mile drive to Eagle River (brown bear) or the glacier (black bear)," explains Eric M.
Water activities: Peterson Lake Campground serves as a launching point for kayaking. According to Tanya B., "This is on a well-maintained road and would be great to bring a kayak. I look forward to spending a lot of time at this campground."
What campers like
Private, well-designed sites: Mendenhall Lake Campground features thoughtfully arranged camping areas. "This campground is very well designed, almost all of the sites are along the water. Many have amazing views but all are within the trees," writes Justin S.
Quiet locations away from crowds: Auk Village Campground offers seclusion despite proximity to town. One camper noted, "A small basic campground close to the harbor and downtown with lots of trees. Each site is very private, ours was built up on a little ring of rocks with stairs leading down from the car."
Natural beauty: Eagle Beach State Recreation Area provides scenic views. "Great access to river area. There is a large amount of bear activity in area. We had a black bear next to our campground eating grass one evening," reports James B.
What you should know
Reservations required: For Mendenhall Lake Campground, advance planning is essential. "Before you go: you must reserve a spot online in advance & spots tend to fill up quickly in July & August," advises Josiah P.
Bear precautions: Wildlife safety measures are necessary throughout the area. At Auk Village, one camper explained, "We didn't put any hammocks in the trees or do any cooking on site, as it is black bear country and you don't want any uninvited guests."
Limited services: Most campgrounds have minimal facilities. At Peterson Lake, "4 spots with picnic tables and fire pits. Clean bathrooms and big trash cans that got emptied while we were there for 4 nights. Low GCI service. Water spout that didn't work for us."
Tips for camping with families
Glacier exploration: Mendenhall Lake Campground serves as a family-friendly base for glacier activities. "The campground itself is located near tons of hiking trails, kayaking/rafting opportunities, and the Glacier viewing center is nearby. We loved it!" shares Angie W.
Swimming options: Auk Village offers protected swimming areas. "Great for swimming as well because it is a protected cove. Great historical site, an ancient village with historical marker as well as a beautiful totem nearby that tells an interesting story," notes Eric M.
Clean site maintenance: Keep food secured in bear-proof containers. "Great place for the family, bears do frequent the area so keep site clean," advises James L. about Mendenhall Lake Campground.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: RV camping near Douglas, Alaska varies by location. At Eagle Beach, one RVer noted, "There are some sites not completely in the trees. We were able to get good solar and Starlink service."
Access considerations: Roads to campgrounds can be challenging. "We were in Juneau with our pickup camper for a couple of weeks. We stayed three nights in the campground. $20 per night. Absolutely no cell service," reports James B. about Eagle Beach.
Space limitations: Peterson Lake has minimal dedicated sites. "This campground has one site with a picnic table and a fire ring. However you can camp anywhere that there is parking," explains Tanya B.
